The Older Guys, 55+

[bluewine]

I am not sure any of the 20 somethings understand my previous thread about older players from our perspective.

Look at like this, this is a short ride. Really for me ,I was your age yesterday, that is how fast time flys.

For the younger players, I hope you do, but even if you dont get signed or you don't tour;

If your lucky, 30 years from now you be sittin next to some dude with a guitar saying;

Ok, then it goes like this.

blue

[Ed Fuqua]

God, I hope not....

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

God, I hope not....

I wouldn't worry, your probably different than most of us.

You will be sitting back in your mansion collecting royalties and publishing fees from all those hit records you made.

[Ed Fuqua]

Ain't like that, Beet.
But there are a wider array of choices available than the two you offer - wealth and fame or playing with morons. Many of us (I'm 53, there are 2 60 year olds in the group I play with most regularly) play interesting and fulfilling music with interesting and competent people. The oldest cat I played with regularly just turned 87, he still takes the horn out of the case every day.

[etoncrow]

Back in the sixties I was a drummer in my teens and had my own top 40 band. We played "after the game teen dances". But I was also in a band with three guys who were 60+ of age. One played a Hammond B3, one played electric vibes and sax and one played bass. The vibes guy used to play in one of the Dorsey bands. The experience I obtained from playing with those guys was immeasurable; the professionalism, the exposure to their material, the arrangements, etc. In later years I was able to go anywhere and find good steady work because of having played with these "old timers". Now at 60 myself I sincerely hope I have the same attitude they had.

[guitfiddle0409]

I'm 56 and I'm playing more than ever! I think having your kids grow to adults frees you up immensely.

[billbern]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

God, I hope not....

Funny, i read that differently.
I read it as lucky to be sitting with other musicians, swapping licks, etc. after thirty years.
That's how i feel about my own situation...blessed

[DaZombieWoof]

At 55 I'm probably playing smarter and have a way better tone concept of what will work for what situation. I haven't totally escaped my Jack Bruce, Tim Bogert, and Jack Casady busy tendencies.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by billbern

Funny, i read that differently.
I read it as lucky to be sitting with other musicians, swapping licks, etc. after thirty years.
That's how i feel about my own situation...blessed

You nailed it. if you truely love playing, your lucky if after 30 years you still have the passion and a place to put it.

blue

[Thedeepend01]

I was off the grid for 25 years then got back into performing over the last 6 years as a doubler (electric and acoustic bass). I turned 50 this year and within a month of that birthdate I became a grand dad. I play in 3 bands were I usually am the elder of the bunch. I am busy composing, recording and performing.....as well as doing my fulltime job. I have made a promise to myself that I am playing my way to the end. A new expression has been coined for us boomers who are active.....we are zoomers! Watch out for my blue flame y'all!

[Ed Fuqua]

Sorry, the original post didn't come off to me that way. I have to say it's not really something I think about, playing jazz I've always come up with musicians who are involved in this music because it's a LIFE choice, not a CAREER choice. And they stay involved all of their lives. You don't catch them asking questions like "Am I too old to rawk?"

I guess it's like asking a fish how long he plans on staying wet...

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

Sorry, the original post didn't come off to me that way. I have to say it's not really something I think about, playing jazz I've always come up with musicians who are involved in this music because it's a LIFE choice, not a CAREER choice. And they stay involved all of their lives. You don't catch them asking questions like "Am I too old to rawk?"

I guess it's like asking a fish how long he plans on staying
wet...

Good point and I think it's the same or similar with blues.However for me at 56 and still doing the Pop Rock stuff and desperately trying to still Rawk is a challange and at time questionable.But, it's all I know.

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Good point and I think it's the same or similar with blues.However for me at 56 and still doing the Pop Rock stuff and desperately trying to still Rawk is a challange and at time questionable.But, it's all I know.

Blue, what do you mean by Pop Rock exactly? Current charts or stuff from some other era(s) ?

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Passinwind

Blue, what do you mean by Pop Rock exactly? Current charts or stuff from some other era(s) ?

Good questions, you know most of the band members are 26 years of age. I just play the stuff I don't really know much about it. We do some originals, the covers are by bands like All American Rejects, The Donnas, Shine Box, Paramour. I think it's Pop Rock?

[Passinwind]

Originally Posted by bluewine

Good questions, you know most of the band members are 26 years of age. I just play the stuff I don't really know much about it. We do some originals, the covers are by bands like All American Rejects, The Donnas, Shine Box, Paramour. I think it's Pop Rock?

Thanks. I'm always looking for new influences or a few out of the box covers for my band. Mostly I steal ideas from younger bands that I mix sound for. I'm your age too, but I never have been much of a rocker as a player per se. I'm more than happy to mix any style music as long as it has at least a hint of original spark to it though...

Anyhow, I've taken some long breaks during my 35+ years of playing. Five years ago I decided to shelve my originals and try to learn a bunch of new tricks: jazz reading gigs, old school country, and classic rock stuff that I never bothered to learn back in the day. I had a blast, and probably improved my craft a ton, but I've just very recently quit both of my working bands and intend to do what I feel I'm meant to for as long as I can: edgy, original music with no redeeming social value.

It's cool that you went for what you wanted and made it happen. Hopefully I'll get lucky with that too!

[BassChuck]

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

I guess it's like asking a fish how long he plans on staying wet...

Yea, that's it. Its so much a part of my life I can't imagine being with making music in some way. I'll be doing music even when there's no one left to listen.

[Rattman]

Originally Posted by billbern

Funny, i read that differently.
I read it as lucky to be sitting with other musicians, swapping licks, etc. after thirty years.
That's how i feel about my own situation...blessed

Yep... I subscribe too... that has appeal for me as well.. and I'm also..blessed

[bluewine]

Hey, thanks a lot.

It's really cool to read about my peers no matter what genre of Music your into.

The Pop rock thing is a stretch for me,(only because of age) but I always looked at myself as a "rock" guy' it's all i've ever done.

I know a few awesome cats our age that really don't want to play out anymore.They are happy to do the Home Studio thing which is cool.

[bluewine]

Originally Posted by Rattman

Yep... I subscribe too... that has appeal for me as well.. and I'm also..blessed

Yeah thats it exactly, it's really a bridge from the old to the new.Part of you is still that cool inovative unihibited 17 year old and part of you is the old, wiser, smarter and more realistic cat.

[RustyAxe]

At 55 I'm the youngest member of our band. One fellow is 69, and the bass player (upright) is 74. With over 100 years of collective experience we put together songs in minutes that would have taken hours/days when we were kids.